Explore Cutting-Edge Windows Made Specifically for Hawaii

How do you develop and design a perfect window for Hawaii? Prior to 2008, all windows sold in the state were designed and built on the Mainland and were less than ideal for use in the Islands.

The Makai Range of windows, developed by Discount Windows & Doors, is the only window specifically designed for Hawaii. Existing vinyl frames frequently would yellow or become brittle with age; the thickness of the glass used was woefully inadequate for use in a hurricane zone; not one company utilized 100 percent stainless-steel hardware in their windows; the screens used were of poor design and didn’t last; and thermal efficiency was something used on a freezer — not a window.

In 2008, all of that changed; using state of the art technology, Discount Windows & Doors developed a window system designed for the 21st Century and beyond — the company’s Makai series of windows and doors. They not only improved every facet of existing windows, but developed a window system never used in Hawaii before.

Hawaii has some of the most extreme UV exposure on earth, capable of destroying all but the very best vinyl. Pure Virgin Vinyl, with its high percentage of titanium dioxide, is the only vinyl able to stand up to the harsh exposure of Hawaiian sunshine. Hawaii is in a hurricane zone — meaning, the state is likely to experience a direct hit from a hurricane in the near future. Most existing vinyl windows will be all but destroyed when that happens.

The vinyl frame on the Makai window series is a high-impact profile able to withstand considerable impact without failing. To complement the strong frame, double-strength glass is used, which is twice as thick as common glass used in the vast majority of replacement windows. The combination of these sturdy frames and double-strength glass enables these windows to endure winds of up to 180 miles per hour. In fact, all Makai windows are so strong that they are commercially rated and are frequently used in high-rise condos.

The majority of homes in Hawaii experience varying degrees of salt exposure. The combination of high humidity and salinity in the air, along with tropical temperatures, creates an extremely corrosive environment, which most people can attest to. The Makai range of windows and doors addresses this issue by utilizing the highest grade of stainless steel hardware available. Salt can also be problematic on glass, causing etching and constant staining. It also attracts moisture and dirt. By using Cardinal Neat Self Cleaning Glass, the problem is eliminated.

Virtually all homes in Hawaii experience an area that is hot at some time of the day.

The solution is using Cardinal 366 Low E, one of the most energy-efficient glasses available in North America today. By using a combination of Cardinal 366 Low E with Argon and Neat Self Cleaning Glass, more than 90 percent of heat can be reflected out of the home. Finally, screens are the first item to deteriorate in most windows because of their poor design. Discount Windows & Doors has developed a strong screen system that can be removed from inside the home and, in most cases, with one hand.